Our Thanksgiving podcast includes the Apostle Paul’s affectionate letter to the folk in the newly formed church of Philippi urging them to be joyful in all circumstances. Paul is writing the letter from his jail cell – an important piece of information. In a jail cell there are few distractions and time to really consider matters. Think of the famous, thoughtful writings that have come from Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Dietrich Bonhoeffer among others. They had time in jail to distill their thinking, to take time to consider – as possible death awaited them – what was most important to tell people about.

Paul is in this same position. And he chooses to tell people about joy - even though they themselves are a small group of outsiders trying to live a different way than those around them. Paul’s message two thousand years ago is just as relevant today. Seek joyfulness, no matter what your circumstances. Let’s do that this Thanksgiving Season. Seek Joy. Won’t everyone be surprised?